CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Djibo Alfari, Niger, September 1998
THEME = AIDS
First of all people thought that AIDS was just a story going the rounds...
Our fellow-citizens had heard about AIDS in other countries but thought it was nothing to do with them. AIDS seemed to be rather like the famous Loch Ness monster in Scotland. Everybody talks about it but nobody has really proved its existence. A story more fiction than fact. Then, in 1987 the first cases were diagnosed in Niger...
That AIDS should appear is not really surprising, because unfortunately many of our citizens have experienced a multiplicity of endemic diseases causing havoc. But people have had other things to contend with - malaria, tuberculosis, yellow fever, etc. They've had to struggle to overcome illiteracy and lack of education. Small wonder, then, that AIDS never seemed to cry "danger" in their eyes - that is, until the disease made its presence felt at home.
Now, things have changed somewhat, because ev-eryone's talking about AIDS, and there's probably nowhere in Niger which hasn't heard about or experienced this terrible disease.
In 1987, Niger recorded 40 cases of AIDS. In 1998 this has risen to 3,500. Comparing this figure to what's happening in other countries of the same region such as Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, it probably doesn't appear to be too serious. However, looking at the age range of the victims, 20-39, our country's socio-economic future gives cause for concern.
Among the regions most affected presently is Niamey Urban area (CUN) and Tahoua Department. There were more than 1,000 cases of AIDS registered in Tahoua in 1997. The main reason for this, is a major exodus of people from the rural areas towards countries with a coastline, such as Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, and some countries in central Africa. Most of these people returned to Niger carrying the AIDS virus, because they hadn't been warned, or were not sufficiently aware of the danger from AIDS, already present in the host countries. But that's not the only reason. Young people get themselves mixed up with prostitutes. Why? Because Niger's prevailing misfortunes and the deterioration of the socio- economic situation are behind this anti-social behaviour which contributes to the spread of AIDS.
Niger has taken all possible steps to face up to the seriousness of the situation. As soon as the first cases were diagnosed in March 1987, a televised round-table discussion on the AIDS situation was organised the same month. The following month, a National Watch Committee for AIDS (CNSS) was established. On 23 April 1987, a Ministry of Public Health decree set up a Committee to Fight AIDS. A short-term plan to fight AIDS was established with the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the period August 1987- December 1998. From January 1989-1991, a medium-term plan for preventing and controlling AIDS in Niger was set in motion. Together with international organisations, a National Programme for Fighting Against AIDS (PNLS), was established in 1990. In addition to AIDS, this programme deals with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)s.
Within the framework of this national institution, a Documentation Centre was established with the help of France's Office for Overseas Cooperation. Its main aims are:
@INDENT_NARR = To reach the target population and inform them about precautions to take as a means of fighting against AIDS.
@INDENT_NARR = To collect, process and spread information concerning AIDS and STDs to the general population.
@INDENT_NARR = To produce information-packs on the above subject.
@INDENT_NARR = To build up a reliable data-base on STDs.
The PNLS has enabled Niger to record remarkable achievements in the country's fight against AIDS and STDs. At the same time, it has provided a background for on-going reflection, awareness and treatment. Each day, dozens of prostitutes and people diagnosed as being HIV-positive, go there for free medical consultations and to receive free advice.
Apart from action taken by the State, the civil society quickly responded to the challenge to participate in the fight against AIDS. Many awareness seminars have been held throughout the country. Religious organisations and traditional chieftaincies are fully involved. Their influence must be brought to bear so that stubborn and traditional souls can change their way of acting. Generally speaking, participants are profoundly moved by what they learn and see in photos, slides and films at these information and awareness seminars. They can't deny now, that AIDS really does exist in Niger. Even though the situation is serious, it's encouraging to note that people are becoming aware of this noxious evil, present in today's society.
In Niamey, many NGO's are continually involved in the task of making people aware of the existence of AIDS in their midst. e.g. the NGO "Learning to live with AIDS". (MVS) A cursory glance at this particular NGO's 1997 Annual Report gives an idea of the lead taken by MVS. 3900 people have been contacted and made aware of the existence of AIDS. 350 have telephoned in to the NGO, or made personal visits or written in. 23,000 condoms have been distributed free-of-charge. These statistics show the efforts made by the NGOs together with their foreign partners.
Many people are asked to offer their skills in the awareness campaigns. For example, musicians, composers, playwrights are called upon to write plays and songs dealing with the nature and development of AIDS.
The present need - and this must be emphasised - is to make people aware that AIDS is dangerous and cannot be ignored or overlooked. We have seen that the State and NGOs, together with international organisations such as WHO and the European Fund for Development (FED) are all working together for this end.
The work goes on because it's a matter of life and death for Niger. When a country's entire youth is threatened, then it's the country itself which is threatened. Nigériens now seem aware of this danger. So much the better!
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement